Which muscle type is responsible for voluntary movements?

Skeletal muscle is responsible for voluntary movements because it is under conscious control, allowing individuals to move their limbs, maintain posture, and execute various other physical activities. This type of muscle is connected to bones via tendons and works in pairs or groups to facilitate movement by contracting and relaxing in response to commands from the nervous system.

In contrast, cardiac muscle, which makes up the heart, operates involuntarily to pump blood throughout the body. Smooth muscle, found in the walls of hollow organs like the intestines and blood vessels, also functions involuntarily and is responsible for various automatic processes, such as digestion and blood flow regulation. Involuntary muscle is a broader term that encompasses both cardiac and smooth muscle, highlighting that these muscles do not require conscious thought for their operation. Thus, only skeletal muscle is associated with voluntary movement.